THE ORIGIN AND BEGINNING STAGEOF THE NIZHNY NOVGOROD SPASO-PREOBRAZHENSKY BROTHERHOOD

The article is devoted to the research of the origin and activity of the Nizhny Novgorod «Spaso-Preobrazhensky Orthodox brotherhood». An analysis of existing research and periodicals is made and a detailed analysis of the brotherhood Charter is presented, which makes it possible to establish the position of the brotherhood on the issue of reform and renewal of Church life. The analysis of the goals and tasks set for the brotherhood in the Charter allows us to rec-ognize the brotherhood as a progressive Church-social organization aimed at reforming the Church from within. Con-sidering the structure of the Spaso-Preobrazhenskoe brotherhood and the main aspects of economic activity, we can conclude that the Charter thoroughly regulated the internal life of the brotherhood.